Today is the 5th of
November. We wonder whether you saw the latest issue of H2H, which was
uploaded on the 1st of November. Our boys work extremely hard to get up
every issue of H2H on the very first day of the month. But from what we can
gather, not many take the trouble to browse through it. It is a tragedy of
modern times and tastes that a very large number of devotees have more time
for “Sai gossip” than for serious Sai thoughts and Sai’s teachings. We find
from various feedbacks we receive via electronic channels, that our “news”
is very popular and rapidly does the rounds all across the world. Our photos
get picked up and even clipped to remove the water mark, and duly get posted
on various web sites, frequently without the standard courtesy of
acknowledgement [we do not say don’t take material from us but merely
suggest: ‘Please tell others about the source so that they too can come to
H2H in case they are not familiar with it’]. Anyway, it is not our intention
here to gripe, moan and groan! These preliminary are meant mainly to perk up
your attention so that we can bring to your notice something very important.

On 22nd November this year, Swami’s University, the Sri Sathya Sai Institute
of Higher Learning, would be completing 25 years. The Institute came into
existence on 22nd November 1981, and the first Convocation was held on 22nd
November 1982; thus, the Convocation this year would be the 25th, and you
would agree that it is a landmark worth taking note of.

Crossing the 25–year mark is notable no doubt, but any institution can
achieve that through sheer efflux of time. So what is the big deal? In our
opinion, there are actually two “big deals,” one connected with traditional
aspects and the other connected with the deeper aspects. Permit us to
explain.

Where the traditional aspects are concerned, Swami’s Institute not only
enables students to earn advanced degrees in everything from Mathematics and
Business Administration to Computer Science, but also charges NO fees. In
this day and age when education has become big business, this is nothing
short of a miracle.

Again, with respect to the traditional aspects, may we call attention to the
following?

1. Character development and inculcating team spirit , is central to the
philosophy of the Institute. It is no accident then that employers in India
are increasingly turning to graduates of SSSIHL, because they can be sure of
teamwork, good work ethics, quiet dedication and sincerity.

2. Thanks to Bhagavan’s constant emphasis, Love becomes strongly and
permanently ingrained in our students. This has many important fallouts. For
example, there has NEVER been, indeed right from the time the Colleges were
founded way back in the seventies, even a PASSING THOUGHT of ragging by
seniors of their juniors. On the contrary, almost all juniors, when they
enter, find that seniors go out of the way to help juniors. This is a
NON-TRIVIAL point since ragging has become a huge menace and a barbaric
custom in the rest of the country. Many new entrants even die but nothing
ever seems to happen and ragging goes on, merrily from year to year.

3. Discipline: One can write chapter and verse on this subject, but we will
not. It suffices to report the following. The country head of a leading bank
told us, “When we hire a whiz kid from a brand Institute, not only does the
whiz kid demand a high salary, but is also very choosy about the kind of
work he/she is ready to do. Swami’s boys are just the opposite. For them,
money is NOT the goal in life; and, they are ready to do any work we assign.
We have now learnt that discipline counts for more than so-called
brilliance. And it is not as if Swami’s boys are not brilliant. They just
don’t flaunt their capabilities!” Need we say anything more?

4. Another point related to discipline; it might seem trivial but not so in
the Indian context. In all these 25 years, the Institute has not missed a
single day of work due to Bandhs, agitations or whatever. As far as we know,
no University can boast of holding its annual Convocation, year after year
on the same day of the year. Here in Prashanti, November 22nd automatically
means Convocation Day, every year!

All this is about the so-called “traditional” aspects, by which we mean what
any educational establishment committed to the development of character,
would lay stress on and presumably also achieve. We now turn to aspects that
make Swami’s Institute truly unique.

Swami’s University is named the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.
What exactly is this Higher Learning? Does it refer to advanced studies in
Computer Science, Biotechnology, Economics and things like that or, for that
matter, advanced studies in Vedanta, etc? Neither! For Swami, the purpose of
Higher Learning is not to turn the attention of the student from the real
world to abstract matters; rather, it is to make students SEE God in
everyday world, see the sufferings of people as the distress of the
Embodiments of God, and thus make service to humanity the main goal of life.

Swami has always attached great importance to Society. Time and time again
He tells students: “You are what you are because of Society. So, when you go
out, remember to discharge your obligations to Society. When you serve
Society with feelings of Selfless Love, it is as if you are loving and
serving God Himself.” Here are some quotes that bring this out, drawn from
the Divine Discourses of Bhagavan, delivered on the occasion of various
Convocations:

The future progress and welfare of a Nation depend on how education is
imparted. Students must be imbued with genuine patriotism. Starting with
love for parents, students should cultivate love and reverence for the
Motherland. All education must be a preparation for serving the Nation.

Swami – Benedictory Discourse, 1988.

Students! Time is precious. The waters of a river and the youth of a young
man can never be restored once they are lost. Plunge into service and extend
help to fellow human beings. Cheer up yourself by saying to yourself, “How
soon will the day come when I finish my studies and serve my fellowmen in
Society?”

Swami – Benedictory Discourse, 1983.

Students are the very foundation of the Nation. To make the foundation
strong, the people, the Government, the parents, the Teachers, and the
students all have to co-ordinate their plans and efforts. These five
elements, these five vital forces, have to come together towards this end.

Swami – Benedictory Discourse, 1981.

The chief goal of human existence is the realisation of Ananda for mankind
and the Unity of all people in a world of Love. This is the Higher Learning
that this Institute will impart. It will encourage transformations in moral,
material, spiritual, and political spheres too. Students who have to
resuscitate the glory of this country, have to recognise and value these
high ideals, because the welfare of the country depends on their talents and
virtues.

Swami – Benedictory Discourse, 1982.

Yes, again and again, Swami reminds students that service to man is service
to God, even as He revealed, when He appeared as Vittala, that service to
parents, especially when they are aged, is verily service to God.

That is what Swami says, but does it all rub off on the students? You can
check that out by going to the various articles we have published in H2H
from time to time, on Sai Seva by Sai Youth. You can, for example, see the
issue of April 2004, the issue of August 2006, of September 2006, and also
the issue of October 2006. These offer good examples. [Please click on the
link "Previous Issues" present in every page of H2H].

After reading them, reflect: “Is it possible to identify any other
University, anywhere from the North to the South Pole, whose Chancellor
constantly inspires in this manner, and whose alumni serve in this manner?”

The world may boast of many “great” Universities but when it comes to a
really GOOD University, there is only one! In a sense, this is something to
be proud of but at the same time, it is also a matter of deep regret that
the rest of world is, ostrich-like, continuing to remain indifferent to the
true purpose of education.

Wherever you are, this 22nd November, take a minute off to admire Swami’s
miracle in establishing this Crown Jewel, in what was until recently, a mere
remote hamlet.